Threatened trees project celebrates 10th birthday in style

The Perthshire Conifer Conservation Programme (PCCP) has celebrated its 10th birthday by planting five internationally threatened conifers at Perth College UHI on Tuesday 25th September 2018.

Perth College UHI Principal Margaret Cook planted one of the trees, a Fitzroya, in the grounds, continuing the long history of exotic tree species there. The site is on the former gardens of what was Brahan House, an Arts & Crafts style mansion where previous generations of Perth’s famous Pullar family planted unusual and striking trees. Each new tree will have its own specially designed ‘cage’ to protect it while it grows. The cages have been made by the horticulture students at the college and they will look after the trees as part of their studies.

The PCCP finds ‘safe havens’ in the woodlands, gardens and estate of Perthshire, where threatened conifers from around the world can be grown ready for the day when their seeds can be returned to their native countries to help re-establish the forest there. The programme is a partnership project of the Forestry Commission Scotland, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust. PCCP has planted over 1000 trees over the last 10 years, representing around 75 threatened conifer species on 26 sites in Perthshire with 22 owners.

Doug Flint, PCCP Project Officer said “I’m delighted to welcome Perth College UHI as the 25th site in the PCCP and it’s fitting that the trees should be planted on our 10th birthday near other unusual mature trees on the former Brahan estate. I’m particularly pleased that the students will help protect and monitor these new trees. ”

Margaret Cook, Principal at Perth College UHI, said: “We are pleased to support the valuable work of the PCCP, and protecting these trees on campus will enrich the student learning experience. For years to come, these trees will inspire our NC Horticulture students as they develop their practical skills whilst learning about the important role of conservation.”

PCCP trees are accessible to the public across a number of forests, parks, gardens and designed landscapes in Perthshire including: Gleneagles, Dunkeld House and Crieff Hydro hotels; publicly owned land managed by Forest Enterprise Scotland, Perth & Kinross Council greenspaces and Scottish Natural Heritage and; privately owned estates like Scone Palace, Atholl Estates & Bonskeid Estates.

The solstice has come and gone, which only means one thing: summer is here! Take advantage of the long days across Perthshire by enjoying a good ramble in open countryside, alongside lochs and rivers, up hills and gorges, past waterfalls and down the park with the whole family.

There is nowhere better in Scotland to take in the glorious colours of autumn than Perthshire. Home of Big Tree Country, the whole area blazes with reds, oranges and golds as the leaves turn. Salmon leaping and dear rutting add to the seasonal sights and sounds waiting to be discovered.

Nestled on the banks of the River Ericht in the heart of Scotland, the Perthshire town of Blairgowrie & Rattray is ideally located for a day trip and or use as a base to explore Central and Eastern Scotland.